FITAP vs KCSP in Louisiana: Which Cash Program Is Right for Kinship Caregivers?
Louisiana has two separate cash assistance programs for relatives raising a child: FITAP (child-only track) and KCSP. They sound similar, but the payment amounts, eligibility rules, and what they ask of you are very different. Applying for the wrong one can mean less money or unnecessary work requirements.
The Quick Comparison
| FITAP Child-Only | KCSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment (1 child) | $240/month | $450/month |
| Payment (2 children) | $361/month | $900/month |
| Payment (3 children) | $484/month | $1,350/month |
| Your income counted? | No — child's income only | Yes — household must be below 150% FPL |
| Legal custody required? | No — informal care is fine | Yes — if missing at initial application, obtain custody or a mandate within 12 months of certification |
| Work requirements | None (child-only track) | None |
| Time limit | None (child-only track) | None |
| Child support cooperation | Required | Required |
The headline difference: KCSP pays almost twice as much per child, but it requires legal or provisional custody (with a 12-month window from certification if you lack it at initial application) and an income test on your household. FITAP's child-only track has no income test on you and no custody requirement, but the monthly amount is significantly lower.
When FITAP Child-Only Makes More Sense
FITAP's child-only track can be an option when you do not yet have legal custody of the child. If a grandchild arrived last week and you have no notarized Provisional Custody by Mandate or court order, KCSP policy gives you 12 months from certification to obtain judicial custody or execute a mandate.
It also works if your household income exceeds 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. KCSP would disqualify you based on income, but FITAP's child-only track ignores your earnings entirely — it counts only the child's own income (Social Security survivor benefits, trust income, or child support) against the $240 monthly payment standard.
One scenario people overlook: a grandparent earning $4,500 a month raising one grandchild. KCSP is off the table (150% FPL for a two-person household is $2,705). But FITAP child-only is available because your income is invisible to the calculation.
When KCSP Is the Better Choice
For most kinship caregivers who qualify, KCSP is the stronger program. At $450 per child with no declining scale, a grandmother raising three grandchildren receives $1,350 per month — nearly triple the $484 FITAP would pay for the same three children.
KCSP makes sense when:
- Your household income falls below 150% FPL (for a household of three, that is $3,415/month as of the March 2026 DCFS poverty guidelines)
- You have or can obtain legal custody — either through a notarized Provisional Custody by Mandate or a court order
- The child does not receive SSI or foster care board payments (both disqualify a child from KCSP)
The income ceiling sounds restrictive, but many kinship caregivers — particularly grandparents on Social Security or a pension — fall well within it.
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The Custody Clock
KCSP's biggest operational requirement is the 12-month custody deadline. If you lack custody at initial application, state policy gives you 12 months from certification to obtain judicial custody or execute a Provisional Custody by Mandate. A mandate is effective for a maximum of one year under La. R.S. 9:952. Submit custody documentation by annual redetermination; KCSP benefits can terminate if it is missing.
FITAP has no custody clock. The trade-off is lower payments for less paperwork.
Can You Receive Both?
No. You cannot receive KCSP and FITAP for the same child at the same time. However, if you are raising multiple children, you could theoretically have one child on KCSP and a different child (who does not meet KCSP eligibility) on FITAP child-only. This is uncommon but allowed.
Both programs require cooperation with Child Support Enforcement — you must assign all rights to child support to the state and help DCFS locate the child's parents. If cooperating would put you or the child at risk, request a Good Cause Waiver using Form DCFS-CSE-301.
Which Should You Apply For?
Start with KCSP if you already have legal custody and your income qualifies. The higher payment rate makes a meaningful difference.
If you do not have custody yet, ask DCFS how the 12-month KCSP window from certification applies to your case; child-only FITAP may also be an option while you work toward a Provisional Custody by Mandate or court custody order.
Both applications go through the Louisiana CAFÉ portal or by calling DCFS at 1-888-524-3578.
For a side-by-side walkthrough of every Louisiana kinship benefit — including the documents you need and step-by-step application instructions — the Louisiana Financial Help for Kinship Caregivers guide covers FITAP, KCSP, SNAP, Medicaid, and more in one place.
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